NRB Study Shows Lumbini has High Potential in Agriculture, Tourism, and Industries 

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NRB Study Shows Lumbini has High Potential in Agriculture, Tourism, and Industries 

September 22: A study conducted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) shows that Lumbini Province has ample potential for agriculture, industry, and tourism development. Due to the arable land, industrial area, and tourist sites, the province has a high potential for the development of these three areas.

The finding is based on a study on economic activities in Lumbini province. The report released on September 21 includes data from the first six months of last year.

NRB spokesperson Dev Kumar Dhakal said that a study has been conducted on the overall economic activities of Lumbini. “We had studied the overall economic activities of Lumbini Province. We had also conducted necessary studies in the field through which we have also identified the potential and challenges of regional business in the entire Lumbini Province,” he said.

The hill and terai areas of Lumbini Province are fit for the production of most of the agricultural produce.

The districts of Inner Madhes and Terai including Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kapilvastu, and Rupandehi have fertile land for agriculture. In addition, there are many valleys and fields in the hill districts. Studies have shown that there is a high potential for agro-business development. The report states that there is ample potential for cash crop production if reasonable irrigation facilities can be provided in the state.

The study has shown that the Dang district can be developed as a pocket area of ​​oilseeds while Rolpa, Rukum, and Pyuthan districts as seed production centers. The report also states that there is ample potential for further expansion of cash crops such as coffee and ginger in Palpa, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, and Pyuthan districts of the state. Apart from this, there is a high potential for the production of sugarcane, vegetables, and spices.

The report also mentions the possibility of animal husbandry, fishery, beekeeping, poultry, and ostrich farming.

The study has also shown that there is a high potential for tourism development in Lumbini. Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is a world-famous tourist destination and an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. There are many religious and cultural sites, including Swargadwari, a Hindu shrine, and Supadeurali in Arghakhanchi. In addition, due to the specific cultures of Tharu, Magar, Awadh, Muslim, and other communities and the famous national parks in Banke and Bardiya, there is a high potential for tourism development, the report further states.

There is also a possibility of attracting internal and external tourists by developing well-equipped hill stations in the hill districts of the state. Apart from this, it is mentioned in the report that more tourists can be attracted by systematically developing homestays. 

The study has also shown that the rapidly expanding cities like Butwal, Bhairahawa, Ghorahi, Tulsipur, Nepalgunj, and Kohalpur can be developed and expanded as the main centers of tourism, industry, trade, banking, capital market, education, and health. The report states that these potential metros could be the carriers of economic prosperity for the entire state.

The study has shown that there is potential for industrial development in Lumbini as the province is connected to the Indian border, has large customs checkpoints like Sunauli, and can easily import raw materials and export manufactured goods.

Executive Director of NRB Dr. Prakash Shrestha said that there is high potential for agriculture, tourism, and industrial development in Lumbini. "Agriculture and tourism have high potential in Lumbini due to its geographical location," he said.

The study has shown that there are possibilities as well as challenges in the development of agriculture, tourism, and industry. Lately, the problem of erosion of agricultural land has been increasing due to unmanaged land development and internal migration in the state.

The report also mentions problems relating to encroachment of public lands and forest areas.

There is a problem of lack of adequate agricultural labor in hill districts and barren land in some areas. In addition, due to the lack of proper infrastructure and market, even the agricultural products produced in the state have not been able to get a fair price. Moreover, young people are not attracted towards agriculture. In such case, there will be more challenges in the development of agriculture, the report states.

Due to the inability to create adequate employment, the number of youths going abroad is significant. The report states that the task of involving the youth in productive, entrepreneurial, and creative work is full of challenges.









 

 


 

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